I was diagno at age 26 with crohn's, have managed with pentasa, and absolutely no ruffage, carrots, apples, lettuce, nuts. well now the pain is getting to me and finally went back and had a colonoskopy and ct acan. colon biopsy, revealed no active crohn's, but ct showed a long stricture in distal ileum. recom surgery. I have an appoint to see surgeon soon Need as much imput and advice, web sites as I can get

Did they say way the stricture was caused from? If its inflammation, then the stricture can be helped by meds. If its from scar tissue then surgery will be required.

I have had two open resections myself. I was in the hospital for 10 days each time, but most are only in 5-7 days. Many are now being done by laproscopy and the recovery is much easier with those. Important things to remember is to walk as much as possible afterwards to help your bowels wake up sooner. I also recommend asking for a pain pump, that way you are in control of your pain meds, instead of waiting for the nurse. Also take your time eating again. You should slowly reintroduce foods back into your diet. Good luck and here's to a long remission.

HugsGail*Nanners*Gail*Nanners* Co-Moderator for Crohns Disease and Anxiety/Panic ForumCrohn's Disease for over 33 years. Currently on Asacol, Prilosec, Estrace, Prinivil, Diltiazem, Percoset prn for pain, Zofran, Phenergan, Probiotics, Calcium w/Vit D, and Xanax as needed. Resections in 2002 and 2005. Also diagnosed with Fibromyalgia, Osteoarthritis, and Anxiety. Currently my Crohns is in remission, but my joints are going crazy!

It's scary when you start making the same noises As your coffee maker.

*Every tomorrow has two handles. We can take hold of it by the handle of anxiety, or by the handle of faith"*

I'm 25 and I've been diagnosed with 2 strictures... 1 short one in the ileum, 1 of unknown length in ascedental colon. My GI's opinion was that I do not need surgery because I am feeling well (I had pain but it stopped) because surgery doesn't solves anything in the long run. So here I am, 3 months after that... still without surgery... feeling ok (not great though)

As Nanners said, it depends what type of stricture it is. If it's just inflammation, drugs should bring it down.Diagnosed with CD July 2007Currently on Remicade, Imuran, probiotics, folic acid, multivitamin.

Thanks for the advice, I need everyones thoughts and ideas. I forgot to mention diagon at 26, but now 44 and have had this problem with blockages. they seem to think that this will be the best answer for me, but am seeing dr next week for consult. How do they know if it is from scar tissue? or disease? I am on pentasa, and while have never had intest surgery, had , 2 c-sections, gallbladder and appendectomy. does this cause scar tissue?

Avoid surgery if you can and start a probiotic diet with fermented foods, yogurt, and probiotic pills, eat only organic unprocessed food, don't drink non-spring water, get a filter for your faucets and showerhead to block out as much florine as possible, and don't use products that don't include natural products (I'm talking even make-up, deodorant, lotion and clothing (non-cotton clothing)

I read about this in a book called "The Makers Diet"..changes people's lives. But tomorrow..go out and bye the probiotic pills..I swear it will help!!!Diagonosed and operated on January 10th, 2005 in Santiago, Chile during my last semester of Grad school.

I will be having surgery on Tuesday to remove a stricture. It's scar tissue (had a colonoscopy and CT Enterography for verification), and causes a blockage once or twice a year, so I decided I was ready to be rid of it. I posted a thread asking the surgery vets questions. I'll find the link and post it (should you ever decide to have surgery, that is ). If you have inflammation rather than scar tissue, I would definitely try to avoid surgery through diet and meds.

Probiotics can give temporary symptoms, such as gassiness, because it's kicking out some bad bacteria from your gut. Start at a small dosage (even as low as half a capsule) and slowly increase until you're taking the recommended amount. Personally, I get my probiotics from homemade yogurt.

thank you so much for the info. i didn't know there were diff causes of the stricture and of course the dr in on his days off, so i will have to be patient and wait, meanwhile i will check out your link. thank you so much

If the doctors are telling you to have the surgery, seriously consider it. My doctor told me for two years to get the surgery done, but I put it off because I didn't want to be in the hospital long away from my 2 year old.

I had an emergency bowel resection on Aug. 27th. It was done lapriscopically (sp?), and I was in the hospital for 7 days. While the recovery was tough, today I feel better than I have felt in years. I feel like I finally have my life back. I have more energy, and now my daughter gets the attention she deserves.

I'm praying that I continue to feel this way, and am praying that you feel better soon. :)Diagnosed with Crohn's disease 11 years ago, also suffer from fistulas due to Crohn's.

I started this post regarding surgery which I found helpful. http://www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=17&p=1&m=1585793#m1588451

I have since met with a surgeon who summed things up by saying surgery was a "crap shoot"! I have decided to proceed with a double balloon enteroscopy procedure which supposedly can give a much clearer picture as to what has caused some blockage . . . scar tissue, inflammation, or a combination. Unfortunately, there are only a few docs who do this procedure.